Knoxx’s Point of View“Join us.”Adrian’s invitation rings in my head, smug and deliberate. The way he says it—like Caroline and he are some exclusive pair inviting an outsider—sets my teeth on edge. But the idea of leaving Caroline alone with him for dinner? That’s not happening.The words leave my mouth before I’ve fully thought them through. “Fine. I’ll join you.”The shift in their expressions is immediate. Caroline’s eyes widen, and Adrian’s smirk falters just enough to fuel my satisfaction. Clearly, they didn’t see that coming.“You will?” Adrian recovers quickly, raising an eyebrow.“I will,” I reply, crossing my arms over my chest. “Why not? It’s dinner. And it's my wife who you are with.”Caroline glances between us, visibly uncomfortable. “Um... are you sure, Knoxx?”I meet her gaze
The soft buzz of notifications on my phone feels almost surreal. Each chime brings a new order, a new message, or another follower on our studio’s Instagram page. I sit at my desk in the corner of the studio, my laptop open to a sea of congratulatory emails and order confirmations. The energy in the room is electric, buzzing with the excitement of a thriving business.“Caroline, you have to see this!” Lisa exclaims, practically running over to my desk. She’s holding her phone, her grin so wide it’s infectious. “Another celebrity just posted about your designs! Look!”She thrusts her phone into my hands, and there it is: a photo of a stunning actress wearing one of my necklaces, the caption praising the craftsmanship and uniqueness. The comments section is exploding with admiration and inquiries about where to buy it.“This is amazing,” I whisper, feeling a rush of pride and disbelief.Lisa nods vigorously, her excitement matching my own. “Amazing? Caroline, this is huge! Do you realiz
Caroline’s Point of ViewThe soft sound of the front door creaking open pulls me from my thoughts. I’m seated in the living room, my hands wrapped tightly around a mug of cooling tea. My mind replays Dolly’s smug smile as she flaunted that bracelet—my bracelet design, no less. When Knoxx steps inside, loosening his tie with one hand and carrying his briefcase in the other, I take a deep breath, bracing myself.He spots me immediately. “Hey,” he says, his tone casual as he sets his briefcase down. “You look like you’ve had a long day.”I set the mug down on the coffee table and fold my arms. “We need to talk.”His brow furrows slightly as he shrugs off his suit jacket, draping it over the arm of a chair. “Okay. What’s going on?”I stand up, unable to keep still. “Dolly showed me the bracelet you bought her.”He blinks, clearly caught off guard. &ld
Caroline’s Point of ViewThe soft light of the afternoon spills through the window, warming the room as Knoxx’s voice pulls me from my thoughts.“I want to make it up to you,” he says, standing a few feet away, his hands tucked into his pockets.I raise an eyebrow, skeptical but answer with cold tone, “Make up for what?”Knoxx sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “For being an idiot. For buying her that gift without considering your feeling… after I promise I won’t do things that will hurt you,” he says, his tone lighter but still earnest. “I’ve been terrible at keeping promises, Caroline, especially when it comes to spending time with you. Let me take you on a proper date.”A proper date. The words hit me with a mix of excitement and disbelief. A part of me wants to scoff at the idea—after all, how many times has he said something similar, only to leave me waiting? But another part of me, the one that still hopes, stirs with anticipation.“Are you serious?” I ask cautiously, narrowin
Caroline’s Point of ViewThe evening air wraps around me as I step outside the restaurant, trying to gather my thoughts after Knoxx’s abrupt departure. The ache in my chest feels heavier with each passing second, the humiliation of being left alone gnawing at my composure. I clutch my purse tightly, fighting back the sting of tears. But before I can decide what to do next, a familiar figure steps out from the shadows.“Adrian?” I say, startled.He’s leaning casually against a sleek car, dressed impeccably as always. His presence is both surprising and strangely comforting.He flashes me that easy smile of his, his eyes glinting with mischief. “Fancy meeting you here,” he says, straightening up. “What a coincidence.”My brows furrow, suspicion flickering in my mind. “What are you doing here?”Adrian tilts his head, feigning innocence. “Secret,” he replies with a tea
Adrian’s smile widens, a glint of smug satisfaction in his eyes. “You left her alone, Knoxx. Someone had to step up and be the manKnoxx’s Point of ViewThe tires screech slightly as I pull into the hospital parking lot, my grip on the steering wheel tighter than it needs to be. My chest feels heavy, and my thoughts are racing. Caroline’s face flashes in my mind—the disappointment, the hurt in her eyes when I told her I had to leave. I’ll make it up to her, I promise myself. But first, I need to handle Dolly.I step out of the car, my suit jacket feeling heavier than it should. The fluorescent hospital lights seem to buzz louder than usual as I walk into the lobby, the sterile smell immediately assaulting my senses. I find Dolly in the maternity ward, lounging in a chair with her hand resting lightly on her stomach, looking perfectly calm. My irritation spikes.“What’s going on?” I ask, my voice sharp.
Caroline's Point of ViewI can feel the gaze of Knoxx on me because we are positioned near the door frame. He looks at me attentively, preparing himself for a battle. Not now, though – I don't want to make things get worse.I turn to Knoxx and say softly, “There is nothing go on, Knoxx. Adrian just help me. And thank you, Adrian, for your time tonight. It was…unexpected but appreciated.”Adrian’s easy smile returns, but there’s a glimmer of something more serious in his eyes. “Anything for you, Caroline. Always.”Knoxx's jaw clenches. He doesn't say anything, though. His fists clench at his sides for a brief moment, the tension there is obvious. Adrian nods at both of us before turning to walk away to his car, the silence that remains almost deafening.I turn back to Knoxx, meeting his piercing gaze. He opens his mouth as if to speak, but then he catches something in my expression. Whatever he sees m
Caroline’s Point of ViewThe sound of Knoxx’s car pulling into the driveway pulls me away from my book. I glance at the clock—past midnight. My chest tightens, a mix of irritation and worry bubbling to the surface.When the door swings open, Knoxx’s assistant steps in first, his expression apologetic as he struggles to support Knoxx, who is visibly drunk.“Mrs. Wayne,” the assistant says hesitantly, his voice low. “He had a few too many drinks at the dinner party. I tried to stop him, but you know how he gets.”My gaze shifts to Knoxx. His tie is undone, his shirt untucked, and his normally sharp eyes are glazed over. He’s leaning heavily on the assistant, mumbling incoherently.“I’m fine,” Knoxx slurs, trying to push the assistant away but nearly stumbling over his own feet.Before I can respond, Dolly’s voice cuts through the air. “What’s going on?”She appears in the hallway, her eyes narrowing as she takes in Knoxx’s state. Her expression twists in disgust. “He’s drunk?”“Very,” I
Knoxx's Point of View"She promised it to me, Daddy! You said promises should be kept!"My daughter's voice breaks as she clutches my arm, big teary eyes staring up at me like I'm the bad guy. Again.I crouch down, trying to stay calm. “I know, sweetheart. But Mommy can’t get it for you right now.”“She said she would before she left!” Her lip trembles. “I want it!”Dolly’s name hangs unspoken between us.Before she left—before she was arrested and locked up for what she did to Caroline.The little girl doesn’t understand any of it. To her, Dolly’s still “Mommy,” and promises still matter.I exhale slowly. I don’t want to argue with a child. Not tonight. I rub a hand down my face and force a steady voice. “Which necklace did she say she’d get you?”She sniffs and pulls out the tablet from her tiny pink backpack. With a few swipes, she opens a photo. A jewelry website. One I recognize immediately.Caroline’s shop.My throat tightens. The necklace is delicate—simple, silver, with a soft
Knoxx’s Point of ViewI know something’s off.It starts small—barely noticeable, really. But over the past few days, I’ve seen it again and again.The little girl who once clung to me so tightly now barely reacts when I come home. She used to run into my arms, squeal, call me “Daddy” like it was the most natural thing in the world. Now, there’s a pause. A flicker of hesitation before she says it, like she’s trying to remember that she’s supposed to.And I pretend not to notice.I tell myself it’s just a phase. That maybe she’s tired. That maybe she’s distracted. That maybe… she still misses Dolly.Yesterday, I brought home her favorite cookies. Or what Dolly claimed were her favorite. The girl blinked at the box like she didn’t recognize it.“Don’t you love these?” I asked, crouching down to her eye level.
Caroline's Point of View We’re already an hour into shopping and both of us are starting to slow down. The mall is busy—kids screaming, couples holding hands, older people sitting on benches by the fountains—but somehow, Penelope and I walk through the noise like we’re somewhere else entirely.She’s holding a small paper bag, something she picked up at a local boutique we passed earlier. I’m pushing the shopping cart, even though we’re not even in the grocery section. Just walking. Browsing. Letting time pass.It’s peaceful. In a way I haven’t felt in a long time.Penelope nudges me with her elbow as we pass by a home decor display. “So… are you gonna talk about it or should I keep pretending I didn’t notice?”I raise an eyebrow. “Talk about what?”She smirks. “You know what.”I blink. “Pen, I reall
Caroline's Point of View I don’t usually turn on the television during breakfast. The apartment is quiet, and I like it that way. But this morning, I let the noise fill the silence.The news is on. Business segment. I don’t think twice about it until I hear his name.“Knoxx Wayne, CEO of Wayne Holdings, has once again made headlines with the launch of his latest renewable tech venture—”I freeze.My fork hovers midair. My appetite disappears.And then, there he is.Knoxx.The screen shows him standing in front of a line of men in suits. Flashing cameras, microphones shoved in his face, reporters circling like vultures. The same stage, the same performance I’ve seen him give a hundred times.But this time, it’s different.He doesn’t look like Knoxx.He looks thinner. Pale. The tailored suit hangs looser than usual. His smile is weak—hollow. Like it’s something he’s forgotten how to do but remembers he’s supposed to.His eyes don’t shine the way they used to when he talked about his wo
Caroline's Point of ViewThe hospital smells like antiseptic and something sharp underneath—like old metal and fear.I clutch Liam’s small hand tighter as we walk through the clinic’s wide glass doors. His sneakers squeak on the polished floor, and he keeps tugging at me, eager to run ahead.“Easy, buddy,” I murmur, smiling tightly.Today isn’t just a visit. It’s Adrian’s follow-up check-up.He insisted he was fine—brushed it off with that stubborn tilt of his mouth that used to drive me crazy. But I wasn’t about to let him come here alone, not after everything.“Mom, can I go see daddy now?” Liam bounces on his toes.I glance down the hallway toward the private exam rooms.“Let’s wait until the doctor finishes checking him, okay?” I say.The receptionist recognizes me, smiles warmly. “You can go right in, Miss Hill. Dr. Moreno just finished his evaluation.”I nod my thanks, squeezing Liam’s hand as we move through the hallways.I can hear Adrian’s voice before we even reach the room.
Caroline's Point of ViewThe bell above the door jingles when it swings open, but I don’t look up right away.I'm at the counter, polishing a silver chain with slow, careful motions, pretending not to notice who just walked in. I don’t need to look. I know that heavy, dragging sound of his boots across the marble floor. I know the way the air changes when he’s near — heavier, familiar in a way that still manages to unsettle me.I keep my head down.Maybe he’ll leave.Maybe he’ll realize there's nothing left to say.But he doesn’t. He moves closer, the floor creaking under his weight."Caroline," Knoxx says, voice low.I finish buffing the chain and set it down neatly on the velvet mat before I lift my gaze.He looks terrible.Unshaven. Hollow-eyed. His jacket hangs loose on his frame like he forgot how to take care of himself. He doesn’t even try to pretend he’s fine. For once, Knoxx Wayne is stripped bare in front of me.And somehow, seeing him like this doesn’t bring me satisfaction
Caroline’s Point of ViewI sit on the floor of my bedroom with my phone in my hand and a heavy ache in my chest. The house is quiet. The twins are with Adrian in the kitchen, drawing on the table with their markers. I told him I needed a few minutes alone. He didn’t ask why—just kissed my cheek and said he’d keep them busy.I stare down at my screen, at the endless thread of messages.Knoxx: I’ll be late tonight. Again.Knoxx: She’s just here for the baby, Caroline. Don’t make a big deal out of it.Knoxx: I’m tired. Can we not do this tonight?Knoxx: I didn’t mean it like that.Knoxx: You’re overthinking. Like always.Each one feels like a scratch on glass. Small, sharp, building toward something that eventually shattered me.I scroll up, past the excuses, past the cold replies, past the silence.Until I reach the older ones.Knoxx: Can’t sto
Caroline's Point of ViewI don’t want to care.But I do.Even after everything. Even after the lies, the betrayal, the manipulation—I still feel that tightening in my chest, that flicker of something I wish I could suffocate. It's not love. It’s not hope. It’s not even hate. It’s a stubborn wound that hasn’t closed properly.The front door creaks. I know the rhythm of those steps. Penelope.I stay where I am, on the couch, a notebook open on my lap. I haven’t written anything meaningful in it all day. Just scribbles. Doodles. Adrian’s name in cursive, printed, tiny in the margins like some foolish girl trying to anchor herself in something good.“You’re not watching the news?” Penelope’s voice is soft, but it cuts through the silence anyway.I look up. Her face says everything before her words do—tense, unreadable.“No,” I say, sharper tha
Knoxx’s Point of ViewIt’s too quiet in the house.I’m sitting on the edge of the bed in my daughter’s room—our daughter’s room—watching her sleep. Eight years old, but still small in ways that remind me how fragile everything is. She clutches the worn-out stuffed bear Dolly gave her on her third birthday. The same one she wouldn't let go of even when she had the flu and cried through the night.I’ve been checking on her more often. Staying longer than I need to. Not because she asks—she rarely does—but because I don’t know what else to do with myself anymore.“Hey, sweetheart,” I whisper, brushing a loose curl from her forehead. “It’s just you and me now.”She doesn’t stir. Just turns her face toward the wall.I lean back against the bedpost, hands tangled together, eyes fixed on the soft glow of the nightlight in the corner. I should feel